Chief Djebah Buried In Grandstyle

By Wilson Vwerhoko
It was indeed a celebration of life when the remains of Chief (Sir ) P.B. Djebah KSM KSG (JP), the Okpako Orere of Okwagbe Community ( March 26 1925 -June 16 2020, aged 95 years was committed to mother earth on the 26th August, 2020 at his home town OKwagbe in Ughelli South LGA, Delta State.

The burial ceremonies were entirely and actively catholic, the faith and creed he professed throughout his sojourn on planet earth before he took his ecclesiastical flight to eternal bliss.

The ceremony of the rite of passage started on the 25th of August, 2020 with a vigil mass at the St. Cyprain Catholic Church Oil field road, Effurun with members of the order of St. Mulumba of which he was a Grand Knight, taking charge of proceedings.

It was a colourful night as we watched the parade of papal knights.

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To maintain the glow of the night, the legendary Emma Grey was on ground to take the stage to entertain guests in the family compound at Abala Street Enerhen Junction into the wee hours of the night.

The next day being 26th, August 2020, the burial procession left the Naval Hospital Mogue opposite the Effurun Army Barracks for a brief stop at his compound both in Warri and Okwagbe, thereafter the body arrived St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Okwagbe where the knights, two Bishops and an array of Rev. Fathers were in attendance for the commendation service.

The homily which was taken by very Rev. Fr. Anthony Mario Ozele admonished all to learn from the life papa lived.

He described late Priice PB Djebah as a self made man, humble inspite of his stupendous wealth, worthy of emulation in all facets of life and an epitome of industry.

The clergy emphasized in his sermon that papa was an asset both to the global economic world, the cosmopolitans and the community at home alike.

He encouraged the children to carry on with the good works of their father, essentially, the Christian faith which papa started and planted them into as the Patriarch of the Djebah family.

TRIBUTES
Dignitaries from far and near and representatives of various corporate bodies took the podium to eulogise papa’s exemplary life style speaking highly of his virtues.

The litrarily endless list of papa’s loud ovation started with the Deputy Senate President DSP, Obarisi of Urhobo nation, Senator Ovie Omo Agege, followed by H.E Prof. Amos Agbe Utuama, former Deputy Governor of Delta State the Chairman, Burial Planning Committee,
HRM Evang. (Dr.) W.O Oharisi (JP), the Ovie of Ughelli Kingdom,
Chief Ayiri Emami, the Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom, Rt. Hon (Rev.) Francis Ejiroghene Waive, House of Representatives Member representing Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency, Hon. Chief Solomon Ahwinahwi, former member House of Representatives, Hon. Efe Ofobruku (Special, Adviser to the Governor of Delta State on Legislative Matters), Olorogun Okiemute Oviri Okwagbe JP, SSA to Governor Okowa on Community Liaison,
Hon. Japhet Efakpokrire, President, Ughievwen Elites, Warri branch, Bar. Michael Djebah, President Ughieveen Elites, Lagos branch, and lots more.

The role call of corporate bodies represented at the ceremony include ,
Mrs. Tonia Baba J.T.I. Family, Zenith Bank Plc, UBA Group, Eco Bank, NEM Insurance, Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Mines & Agriculture (NACCIMA) Catholic Diocese of Warri, under the lordship of Bishop John Afareha, Warri Chambers of Commerce and lndustry, Mines and Agriculture (WACCIMA), Order of the Knights of Saint Mulumba, St. Benedict Enterprise Development Initiative, The Association of Papal Knights and Medalists in Nigeria (AKPMN), Petra Microfinance Bank, Imigbu quarters Okwagbe Inland, Metal Mate Limited, Klassic Club of Nigeria, St. Peter Claver’s College (SPCC) Old Boys, Government College Old Boys, Ughelli Ughievwen Union, Ughievwen Elites Lagos branch, etc.

INTERMENT
The body of late Papa, Prince PB Djebah the Okpako Orere of Okwagbe Community was committed to mother earth thereafter at his compound by a galaxy of Catholic priests after praying and commitiing his soul to the mercy of God.

RECEPTION
In line with the NCDC regulations the burial reception was stagggared at different venues to disperse the mammoth crowd both at late Papa’s compound at Okwagbe at the entrance of the town, the family compound and St. Vicent’s college Okwagbe playground.

It was indeed a gathering of class of who is who in Delta State and beyond.

On ground to add pep to the occasion were an array of commedians of the likes of Gordons, Akpororo, I Go Dye and others who added colour, glamour and panache to make the ceremony grandiose.

Chief Achonacho and Chief Umukorofian both of them who are renowned Urhobo Orators did their best as they demonstrated their skills as seasoned wordsmiths of the Urhobo Language to the admiration of all.

The Igbe-Emete Cultural troupe (Girls Dance), the Stilt Dance, (Ikelike) the famous Ema Dance of Ughelli and Udje Dance of Ughievwen were all on ground to colour the rite of passage.

lt is pertinent to add here that the late Prince PB Djebah was a man rooted in cultural civility who deserved the honour accorded him.

Inlaw Greetings
Inlaw Greeting which is one unique aspects of Urhobo tradition during burial ceremonies was slated for 27th and 28th August 2020. at the family compound in Okwagbe.

THANKSGIVING
The thanksgiving service of papa’s successful and peaceful burial took place at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Okwagbe on the 30th of August 2020.

It is worthy to note that the late Chief Sir PB Djebah is the highest individual contributor to the estabidhment and development of the Roman Catholic Mission in Okwagbe town, a legacy for which he will be remembered till the second coming of Jesus Christ.